--- title: "hi everyone, so i have a big pest problem on my collection, both…" description: "hi everyone, so i have a big pest problem on my collection, both thrips and spider mites on my plants. i am a student and am currently doing my thesis so i…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/xHxhHVBUXoRGrSkLXZMMNH" community: "Pests, diseases and problems" author: "Macie" published: "2025-10-03T23:13:30.806895Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/pestsDiseasesAndProblems.jpg" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md) # hi everyone, so i have a big pest problem on my collection, both… _Posted by Macie on 2025-10-03_ hi everyone, so i have a big pest problem on my collection, both thrips and spider mites on my plants. i am a student and am currently doing my thesis so i have very minimal time to care for my collection which is over 100 plants. what is my easiest mode of action, im ok if it take bit longer than usual as long as it works! also i have a cat so it cannot be toxic. knock on wood, but so far they just look sad and nothing crazy has happened just a few leaves dying here and there but nothing has fully died yet and its been this way since april, i just really want them to start thriving again! ## 9 comments ### Amy commented on 2025-10-03 I loathe spider mites. They are the bane of my existence. I have had many bouts with them and the thing that works best for me is neem oil. It’s very tedious, but you have to treat each plant individually. There are some good tutorials on YouTube that walk you through neem oil “dunks” for potted plants. This looks like the most thorough way to do if your pots are small enough. They love to hide in the spots that are hard to reach otherwise. Good luck! #### Macie replied on 2025-10-03 thank you!!! i completely forgot about neem oil i think the dunks would be my best bet to do it in the faster way possible!:) ### Amy commented on 2025-10-03 You will have to follow up with regular sprays (every 7 -10 days for 4-6weeks!) bc it’s impossible to get all of them in one felled swoop. Also, check to see if neem oil “soaks” are tolerated by your individual plants. Not all are but you essentially water your plants with a neem/water solution. Idk the exact ratio m. ### Mrs. Maingi commented on 2025-10-03 Honestly, we finally cut down on our gnat issue by water Ming from the bottom, using diatanacious earth mixed with cinnamon and close on the top. We added the cute gnat traps to each plant. And once a week I use peroxide on the top soil. It took about a year but it’s finally u see control! #### Mrs. Maingi replied on 2025-10-03 Watering from the bottom. And we use cinnamon and clove spices ### PlantHopeful commented on 2025-10-04 You might want to look into beneficial insects. You get them in pouches, put them on… they clear it all up. Another option that works besides neem or systemic granules is this company perfect plantista— just be careful bc the thyme in it can be tough for sensitive skin! ### Hayley commented on 2025-10-04 I agree with beneficial insects. I use the predatory mite mix from Nature's Good Guys; they cleared my spider mite problem right up and got rid of the few fungus gnats I had as a bonus! So easy to use, only one application necessary (usually), if you get the food cards you can keep the colonies alive to prevent future infestation, and they're completely safe for cats ☺️ ### Amy commented on 2025-10-05 I use predatory spider mites from Nature’s Good Guys too. It’s easy, fast, and safe for pets. It cleared up my plant pest problems. The good bugs come in a vial or sachet. You sprinkle them in your plant and that’s pretty much it. I find it to be less work than repeat neem spray ### Macie commented on 2025-10-05 Thank you everyone!! i think was this was definitely the push i needed to get some beneficials!! --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_